England’s weekly winners and losers: week 7

Wow! Sturridge was only on the pitch for 4 minutes and scored the goal of the season. His talent has never been in doubt but like Jack Wilshere his ability to stay fit remains questionable. If England are taking the Nations League seriously surely Sturridge will be called up this week for an impact sub role.

Mark Noble

Bossed the midfield as West Ham demolished Manchester United. Noble’s quick thinking and passing range twice opened up United’s back line for West Ham to score. Noble looks far more comfortable with Declan Rice in midfield to do the ugly work than the more creative Jack Wilshere. It seems Manuel Pellegrini has found the midfield balance he was looking for.

Noble gets the better of Matic

Harry Kane

Still not at his best but his brace still took him to joint top of the goalscoring charts with 5. Kane looked energetic and strong as he got a bumpy ride from Huddersfield’s defence and although he spurned a chance for the hat-trick it’s now 3 in 2 games.

Jadon Sancho

The teenage sensation grabbed his fifth assist of the season as Dortmund went top of the Bundesliga. Sancho has remained an impact sub thus far, teasing tiring defenders with his box of tricks. The only question with Sancho is does he get his first cap in October or November?

Raheem Sterling

Another goal taking him to 4 for the season as he teased and tormented Brighton’s defence. If he could just bag 1 for his country!

Losers

Ashley Young

Perhaps it’s unfair to single out one player from Manchester United’s wretched performance at West Ham. But Young had an awful day, summed up by his dreadful attempt at a corner that skimmed across the pitch and almost lead to another West Ham from the ensuing counter.

Rob Holding

Not the first defender to get a rough ride from Watford’s attack, but Holding had a torrid afternoon at the Emirates that somehow ended in a clean sheet. Drafted in due to injury, Holding’s performance perfectly illustrated the problem of blooding young players – play him and he’s likely to make mistakes as he learns, bench him and he won’t improve. Holding needs matches but there’s no guarantee he’ll become an Arsenal regular, still he’s the first Englishman to start a Premier League game for the Gooners since the opening weekend.

Callum Wilson

The shouts for him to get call up have been reduced to whispers in recent weeks, on Monday night they were mute. Wilson endured a frustrating night as Bournemouth edged Crystal Palace. With time running out he found himself clean through but fired straight into Wayne Hennessy, he probably owes penalty hero Junior Stanislas a pint!